Cessna 182 vs Piper Malibu
The Cessna 182 Skylane (four-seat fixed-gear, ~140 kt, unpressurised) and Piper Malibu PA-46 (six-seat retractable pressurised, ~213-240 kt M-series) are very different aircraft — different class, different mission.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 182
- For sale now
- 489
- Median asking
- $218,897
- Range
- $104,725–$564,768
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
Piper Malibu
- For sale now
- 281
- Median asking
- $950,000
- Range
- $417,000–$3,032,000
- Model years available
- 1984–2026
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Generations Breakdown
Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.
Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.
Cessna 182 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182 Continental (early) | 1956–1976 | O-470-L/R | 2650 | 140 | 640 | 216 |
| 182 Continental (late) | 1977–1986 | O-470-U | 3100 | 142 | 700 | 86 |
| T182 Turbo | 1981–1986 | TIO-540-AK1A | 3100 | 158 | 970 | 50 |
| 182 Lycoming | 1997–now | IO-540-AB1A5 | 3100 | 145 | 930 | 165 |
Piper Malibu — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Cessna 182 | Piper Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 2779 | — |
| Serious | 249 | — |
| Fatal | 529 | — |
| Fatalities | 1000 | — |
| % Fatal | 19% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182 | Piper Malibu |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $104,725 – $564,768 | $417,000 – $3,032,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 310 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 213 kts (394 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 1,300 nm (2,408 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 4,100 lbs (1,860 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) | 1,200 lbs (544 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 92.0 gal (348 L) | 120.0 gal (454 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) | 16.0 GPH (61 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $35,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $22,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $160 | $190 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 182
Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Piper Malibu
Fuel$88/hr
Variable$190/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$60,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Piper Malibu?
Bottom line: Choose the 182 for the simplest four-seat hauler at the lowest acquisition cost. Step up to the Malibu/M-series when you need pressurisation, six seats and dramatically more cruise — at multiples of 182 operating cost.
Pick the 182 if…
- Budget matters — from $104,725 vs $417,000, you save ~$312,275.
- Lower operating cost — ~$160/hr vs $190/hr.
- More inventory — 106 listings vs 23.
Pick the Malibu if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 213 kts vs 140 kts.
- Longer range — 1300 nm vs 640 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1984 vs 1956.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key difference between the Cessna 182 and Piper Malibu?
Class. The Cessna 182 Skylane is a fixed-gear four-seat touring aircraft with 230 hp and ~140 kt cruise — simple, affordable, and accessible. The Piper Malibu (M350) is a pressurized high-performance six-seat single with the Continental TSIO-550 (~350 hp), approximately 200–213 kt cruise, and a sealed cabin. These are not comparable aircraft — the Malibu costs several times more to acquire and operate.
182 or Malibu — which should I buy?
Buy the 182 if four seats, fixed-gear simplicity, and the lowest practical cost of piston-single ownership are the priority — it is the most popular four-seat personal aircraft in history for exactly this reason. Buy the Malibu if six seats, pressurized comfort at altitude, and 200-plus-kt cruise are genuine mission requirements and the significantly higher cost is acceptable. Different aircraft for different budgets and missions.
Is the Malibu's speed advantage worth the premium?
On a 500-nm trip, roughly 70 kt saves about 1.25 hours. If you fly frequently and each hour saved has value, yes. If you fly for leisure and time is flexible, the 182's dramatically lower operating cost almost always wins. The Malibu earns its cost for business travellers with high time-value; for recreational pilots, the 182 is the rational choice.
How do specs compare?
Cessna 182T: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (230 hp), four seats, fixed gear, ~140 kt, ~900 nm. Piper M350: Continental TSIO-550 (~350 hp), six seats, pressurized, retractable gear, ~200–213 kt, ~1,300 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate?
The 182 is substantially cheaper — lower fuel burn, no pressurization maintenance, simpler systems, and lower acquisition cost. The Malibu's TSIO-550 and pressurization add significantly to annual costs. The Malibu earns the difference through speed and altitude comfort; the 182 wins decisively on economy.
Which should I buy?
182 for four-seat touring at the most accessible ownership cost in the high-wing Cessna family. Malibu for pressurized high-performance single ownership when six seats, speed above 200 kt, and altitude comfort are genuine requirements. These aircraft do not compete for the same buyer.
Which is better, Cessna 182 or Piper Malibu?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range.
The Malibu cruises at 213 kts with 1,300 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182: from $104,000.
Piper Malibu: from $419,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 182 and Piper Malibu?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 6.
Cruise: 140 vs 213 kts.
Range: 640 vs 1300 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
182: about $160/hr variable cost.
Malibu: about $190/hr variable cost.
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
182: 4 seats / 1,110 lb useful load.
Malibu: 6 seats / 1,200 lb useful load.
Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
182: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000.
Malibu: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000.
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data